Nueva Chicago will visit Colegiales on Saturday at 15:00 in round 29 of Primera Nacional's Zone B, but without the support of their travelling fans. The possibility of admitting away spectators, previously raised by vice-president Martín Lamarca, did not materialize. The match remains at Colegiales' stadium in Munro and will be attended exclusively by home supporters.
The organizational decision followed consideration of several alternatives. Officials discussed receiving Torito followers and even the possibility of transferring the home fixture to Caseros, but no agreement was reached to implement either option. The final arrangement maintains Colegiales' original venue and closes an expectation that had generated interest in Mataderos because away crowds remain uncommon in Argentina's lower divisions.
Lamarca had said it would be appealing to see Chicago's supporters travel with the team. His comments followed a moment of football relief, because the side had just beaten Quilmes 1-0 at República de Mataderos. Thiago Ocampo scored during the opening period and ended a sequence of five consecutive defeats in which Chicago had also failed to find the net.
The victory moved Chicago to 32 points and fifteenth position in the group. Their advantage over Chacarita on 27 and Güemes of Santiago del Estero on 23 provides some protection in the lower-table contest, although it leaves no room for complacency. With eight matches still to follow round 28, every result continues to affect survival and the effort to rebuild confidence.
The 1-0 win over Quilmes also ended amid controversy surrounding refereeing decisions, but its principal meaning for Gastón Lotitto's team was the interruption of a prolonged decline. Chicago needed to score and win before travelling again. The challenge is particularly significant because, before this recovery, the club had accumulated nine straight away defeats and eleven consecutive matches without winning outside Mataderos.
Colegiales provide an immediate test of whether the latest result established a trend or merely temporary relief. The teams drew 0-0 in Mataderos when they first met this season in April. Colegiales now have 37 points and occupy a stronger position, while Chicago must transfer the discipline and efficiency displayed against Quilmes into an away setting where their difficulties have been most persistent.
The directors' hope of a match shared by both sets of supporters has disappeared, but the sporting core retains all its importance. Chicago will play without their fans in the stands and under pressure to sustain the reaction. Colegiales intend to exploit home advantage and extend their lead. Saturday will show whether the three points earned in Mataderos began a recovery capable of carrying Torito through the decisive stretch.
